Apprenticeship vs University Calculator
Enter tuition, living costs and both salary paths.
Advantage over the period
β
Enter values above
University net position
β
Apprenticeship net position
β
Total cost of study
β
Break-even year
β
Difference per year after study
β
Worked example
With the default inputs shown below, this calculator returns the following results:
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| University tuition per year ($) | 12000 |
| Living costs per year ($) | 12000 |
| Years of study | 4 |
| Apprenticeship salary per year ($) | 18000 |
| Qualified apprentice salary after training ($) | 30000 |
| Graduate starting salary ($) | 52000 |
| Years to compare | 15 |
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Advantage over the period | University +$74,000 |
| University net position | $476,000 |
| Apprenticeship net position | $402,000 |
| Total cost of study | $96,000 |
| Break-even year | Year 12 |
| Difference per year after study | $22,000 |
Values shown are produced by this page in your browser; change any input to update them.
How to use the Apprenticeship vs University Calculator
- University tuition per year ($) β default 12000
- Living costs per year ($) β default 12000
- Years of study β default 4
- Apprenticeship salary per year ($) β default 18000
- Qualified apprentice salary after training ($) β default 30000
- Graduate starting salary ($) β default 52000
- Years to compare β default 15
- Press Calculate to update the results instantly.
Frequently asked questions
Because the apprentice earns for the three or four years the student is paying fees and living costs. That head start takes years of higher salary to overtake, which is what the break-even year measures.
On average yes, but the gap varies enormously by subject. STEM, medicine and finance degrees pay back quickly; some arts degrees take decades, or never, to recover the cost.
The tuition figure here is the cash cost. If you want the true long-run position, add the interest that accrues on the loan, or model the repayment percentage as a salary reduction.